Canadians — and Cape Bretoners in particular — can be excused for feeling the urge to soak up as much warm, glorious sunshine as possible after suffering from a shortage of the stuff over several cold, grey months.

"It was a cold winter, it was a snowy winter, and the other thing I think has been disappointing and depressing is that it's gone on too long," Environment Canada senior climatologist David Phillips told the Cape Breton Post early this month.

"There was a lot of days with rain, a lot of rain, and it kept the sun away and so the days just didn't warm up."

Almost one month later, with June just around the corner, it remains relatively cool and damp. Leaves seem reluctant to unfurl, all but the most hardy flowers have yet to blossom and many lawn mowers haven't seen any action since last fall.

Folks lucky enough to be able to afford the time and money required to go south for a week or six months got a reprieve from the sunshine shortage. But a lot of people stuck it out, and many are understandably craving sunshine.

Unfortunately, for them, now is the time for a reality check.

The Canadian Press reported on Wednesday that while the incidences of some cancers among Canadians are going down, cases of melanoma — the most deadly form of skin cancer — are on the rise.

It is estimated that 6,500 Canadians will be newly diagnosed with melanoma this year, and 1,050 Canadians will die from the disease.

“Because we don’t get a lot of sun in this country, skin cancer isn’t top of mind for most Canadians," Prithwish De, an epidemiologist with the Canadian Cancer Society, told The Canadian Press.

“There’s over 80,000 skin cancer cases expected in Canada this year. And that’s almost the same number of cases of the top four cancers combined — lung, breast, prostate and colorectal cancer.”

As part of the same story, The Canadian Press interviewed Ian Anderson, a 56-year-old resident of Brampton, Ont., who has beaten melanoma twice. Following his second diagnosis, 19 years ago, he was told he had a 2.5 per cent chance of surviving five years. He now volunteers with the Canadian Cancer Society, counselling those diagnosed with melanoma.

“A lot of people have the mindset: 'Well, it won’t be me.' My job now is to tell people: 'You know what? It can happen,'" said Anderson. “Why not take some form of precaution if it can help you out? Simple as putting on a hat and putting on sunscreen. We’re not talking Einstein here.”

Anderson's story is a powerful reminder that while we should get out and enjoy our short Canadian summer to the fullest, a few simple precautions are well worth the effort — and not only in the summer, but any time the UV index calls for it.